Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers

Puppet Showplace’s Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers seeks to diversify representation on our stage and in our field by investing in creative research and early-stage production development by Black puppeteers from Greater Boston and from across the country. Learn about the current 2023 cohort here.

Upcoming Events

Applications for the 2023 cohort are now closed. Sign up to receive updates about the program here.

National Call for Artists (Virtual RESIDENCY)

Puppet Showplace Theater seeks proposals from emerging and early-career artists interested in exploring the art of puppetry, for the fourth year of this virtual residency program! 

Applications for the 2023 cohort are now closed. Sign up to receive updates about the program here.

About the Program     

Puppet Showplace Theater is offering five $1,000 grants to Black artists to support the research and development of original puppetry work. Starting in August 2023, this year’s residency will include:

• Two virtual group gatherings over Zoom to discuss work and collectively assist with progress. 

  • Gathering 1: Thursday, August 10 from 6 pm - 8 pm EDT

  • Gathering 2: TBD According to Group Schedule

• An online fabrication workshop, geared toward the group

• Individual work sessions with program mentor Nehprii Amenii. 

• Additional support from Tanya Nixon-Silberg, returning as community curator.

• Optional: Virtual Community Working Sessions

Together, our team will facilitate community-building among members of the cohort to create a supportive environment, where works-in-progress are shared. Puppet Showplace Theater will close out the residency in October 2023 by hosting a public sharing (virtual), celebrating grantees’ progress.

Proposed Projects

Projects may be at any stage of development and incorporate any form of puppetry. They may be geared toward adult, child, family, student, or other community-based audiences. Projects may be intended for a variety of presenting contexts; including traditional stages, classrooms, outdoor settings, video platforms, installation settings, parades, or protests.

Artists may approach any subject matter that they wish to explore through puppetry; including, but not limited to: fantasy, memoir, folklore, traditions, contemporary issues, history, politics, or even abstract explorations. Puppetry is a multidisciplinary form, so funds may be used for any purpose that advances the artist’s expression and process (e.g. the purchase of materials, research time, design work, building, devising, writing, rehearsing, or reflecting.)

Apply for the residency

You may apply by any of the following three methods:

Application Questions

- A brief description (1 page) of your proposed project that answers the following questions:

• What themes do you wish to explore with your project?

• What style of puppetry are you interested in working with?

• What audience do you hope to reach?

• Where in the process of development is the project currently, and what is the overall timeline for the project?

- A short statement (1/2 page) on how you see this residency supporting your artistic development.

- A biography (250 words or less), resume, media, and/or links to an online portfolio that introduces your and your past work in puppetry or another art practice.

- (Optional) A page of supplemental visual materials related to your project may also be included, but is not required.

Selection Criteria

Our aim is to select a diverse array of projects and puppetry forms, with artists who will benefit from this residency program. We will evaluate:

• The clarity, originality, and achievability of the project (even if part of a bigger whole).

• The project’s potential to strengthen the artist’s practice and create much needed affinity spaces in and through puppetry. 

• The feasibility for the artist to engage in project-related development and residency activities during August - October 2023. 

If you have questions or would like to discuss a proposal in advance of applying, please reach out to Sarah Nolen at sarah@puppetshowplace.org.

Meet the Team

Fund this initiative

If you would like to help support future grantees, we welcome contributions to this initiative. You can donate by clicking the button, or mailing a check to Puppet Showplace Theater, 32 Station Street, Brookline, MA 02445 with “Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers” in the memo.